Displaying Use Time Remaining on Fast Charge Devices

ABSTRACT

A power source is configured to supply power to one or more components of an electronic device. A processing device that is in communication with the power source can be configured to determine an estimated power requirement of the mobile electronic device during a time period, to determine a charge state of the power source, and to produce an indication of the remaining use time of the electronic device based on the estimated power requirement and the charge state of the power source.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to electronic devices and, morespecifically to power management for electronic devices. Still moreparticular, the present invention relates to displaying the remaininguse time of a portable power source in an electronic device.

BACKGROUND

Most electronic devices include an internal portable power source, suchas a rechargeable battery, that provides power to the devices. Onetechnique for informing a user about the amount of charge on the powersource is to represent the amount of charge in as a battery chargestatus icon. The amount of charge on the power source can be representedby a color indicator that completely fills or partially fills in theicon. For example, when the power source is fully charged, the batteryicon can be filled in completely by the color indicator. The batteryicon, however, may not provide information to the user about whether ornot the power source has a sufficient amount of charge to power thedevice for the applications and functions the user will be running overan upcoming period of time. For example, the user may be running anavigation program to receive turn-by-turn directions for two hours,which means the electronic device will be in near-constant or constantuse during that two hour period. Based on the battery icon, the user maynot be able to determine that the power source has a sufficient amountof charge to provide power for that application for the entire twohours. In general, some users can be anxious or uncertain about thedisplayed amount of charge remaining on a power source because the usermay not be certain that the remaining charge is sufficient to meet theuser's use of the electronic device over an upcoming period of time.

SUMMARY

Embodiments described herein can learn how a user uses an electronicdevice and provide more accurate information about the remaining usetime of the electronic device to the user. In some embodiments, a fastcharging battery or power source can be included in the electronicdevice. In one aspect, an electronic device includes a power sourceconfigured to supply power to one or more components of the electronicdevice. A processing device that is in communication with the powersource can be configured to determine an estimated power requirement ofthe mobile electronic device during a time period and determine a chargestate of the power source. The processing device can be adapted todetermine if the charge on the power source will meet the estimatedpower requirement, and to produce an indication as to the remaining usetime for the electronic device. The remaining use time can be determinedindependently for one or more users of the electronic device, and theindication can be displayed to each user in several different ways. Forexample, in one embodiment, the processing device can determine thathaving 50% charge on the power source provides a first user withtwenty-four hours of use but provides a second heavier user with twelvehours of use. The appropriate amount of remaining use time can bedisplayed to each respective user.

In another aspect, a method for operating an electronic device caninclude a processing device estimating a power requirement to be neededin an upcoming time period and determining an amount of charge on apower source of the electronic device. An indication of the amount oftime a user has to use the electronic device can then be displayed tothe user. The displayed remaining use time can be updated continuously,periodically, or at select times. The amount of use time can be learnedby the electronic device. Additionally or alternatively, a user canenter desired or expected use times for one or more applications and theelectronic device can utilize the user-input information to determinethe amount of use time. The amount of use time remaining can bedetermined using data from one or more sensors, such as GPS,applications, such as a calendar and/or navigation or location serviceor application, and/or from one or more network connections orconfigurations, such as an IP address.

In yet another aspect, one or more power profiles can be created for theportable electronic device. A power profile can include estimated powerrequirements, historical power usage, and/or options regarding the powermanagement of the portable electronic device. A method for creating apower profile can include a processing device analyzing historical powerrequirements of the electronic device and creating the power profilebased on the determined historical power requirements. The power profilecan be modified based on input received from a user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are better understood with reference to thefollowing drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily toscale relative to each other. Identical reference numerals have beenused, where possible, to designate identical features that are common tothe figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example of a portable electronicdevice that includes an internal power source;

FIG. 2 is an example block diagram of the electronic device 100 shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts an example graph of a charge state versus an amount oftime for a fast-charging battery;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for creating one ormore power profiles;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart depicting an example method for displayingremaining power on an internal power source in a portable electronicdevice;

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of example factors that can be consideredwhen performing block 500 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is one example of a display for displaying the remaining use timefor an electronic device; and

FIG. 8 is another example of a display for displaying the remaining usetime for an electronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments described herein can estimate or predict the remaining usetime for an electronic device for an upcoming period of time.Information about the estimated power requirements and the remainingpower on a power source can be analyzed and the remaining use time canbe displayed to the user in a more meaningful display. The portableelectronic device can sample data regarding power usage over time tocreate a database of power use data, or the mobile electronic device mayhave a “test” time such as a number of days or a week during which thedevice may store data corresponding to the “typical” power consumption.

Embodiments can provide an indication of how much use time remains forone or more users of the electronic device based on a power profile thedevice has created or received. The power profile can include estimatedpower requirements, historical power usage, and/or options regarding thepower management of the portable electronic device. For example, a powerprofile can include information about the amount of power used in agiven time period for text messages, emails, cellular telephone calls(e.g., when the electronic device is a smart telephone), internetbrowsing, camera use, travel applications, other applications such ashealth monitoring applications (e.g., heart rate monitor), and so on.

A power profile can be created for each day of the week, or for eachrepeating activity or meeting that appears on a calendar program.Additionally or alternatively, a power profile can be produced for eachregularly used application on the portable electronic device or on oneor more locations frequented by the user. A power profile can be createdto reserve power for an application or function to allow the electronicdevice to save power for that application on a particular day or days, agiven time of day, or some other time period.

Turning now to the figures, the portable electronic device will bediscussed in more detail. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portableelectronic device 100 operably connected to a power cable 102. FIG. 2 isan example block diagram of the electronic device 100 shown in FIG. 1.With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the portable electronic device 100 maybe substantially any type of electronic or computing device, including,but not limited to, a smart phone, a laptop or tablet computing device,a gaming device, a digital music player, a personal digital assistant, aremote control, a wearable computing device and/or display, and so on.In some embodiments, the portable electronic device 100 may include adisplay 104, an input member 106, an output member 105, one or moresensors 108, a global positioning system (GPS) mechanism 200 orreceiver, a network/communication interface 202, an internal powersource 204, a processing device 206, and/or a memory 208.

The display 104 may provide an image or video output for the portableelectronic device 100. The display 104 may be substantially any size andmay be positioned substantially anywhere on the electronic device 104.In some embodiments, the display 104 may be a liquid display screen,plasma screen, light emitting diode screen, and so on. The display 104may further include one or more input sensors, e.g., capacitive touchscreen, or infrared touch screen. In these embodiments, the display 104may also provide input as well as output functions.

The input member 106 (which may be a switch, button, capacitive sensor,or other input mechanism) allows a user to interact with the portableelectronic device 100. For example, the input member 106 may be a buttonor switch to alter the volume, return to a home screen, and the like.Additionally, the input member 106 may also provide haptic feedback orother haptic output for the portable electronic device 100.

The output member 105 may be combined with the input member 106 or maybe separate therefrom. The output member 105 may provide output to theuser from the portable electronic device 100. The portable electronicdevice 100 may include one or more input members 106 and/or outputmembers 105, and each member 105, 106 may have a single input or outputfunction or multiple input/output functions. Furthermore, in someembodiments, the input member 106 may be incorporated into the display104, for example as a capacitive input for a capacitive touch screen.

The input port 112 may be formed within or defined by an enclosure ofthe portable electronic device 100 and may electrically connect anexternal device (e.g., headphones, speakers) or power source to one ormore internal components of the mobile computing device 100. The inputport 112 is configured to receive an electrical connector for theportable electronic device 100. For example, the input port 112 may beconfigured to receive the power cable 102, a data cable (e.g., universalserial bus, fiber optic, tip ring sleeve connector, and the like), or acombination data and power cable. The portable electronic device 100 mayinclude more than one input port 112 and each input port 112 may bepositioned substantially anywhere on the electronic device 100.

The power cable 102 may include two plugs 110, 126, one of which islocated on each end of a cable 102. In some embodiments, a first plug110 may be a different type of plug than the second plug 126. Forexample, the first plug 110 may be a USB plug whereas the second plug126 may be a 30-pin connector plug. In other embodiments, the plugs 110,126 may be substantially any type of plug or connector and may varydepending on the desired external power source and/or the configurationof the input port 112.

The first plug 110 may connect to one or more external power sources,such as, but not limited to, a wall outlet, a mobile charging outlet(e.g., 12V vehicle outlet), input or power port on a computer (e.g., USBport), and so on. As such, the first plug 110 may be modified dependingon the desired charging source and/or may include one more adapters inorder to best communicate with the desired power source. The second plug126 may be configured to connect the cable 102 to the portableelectronic device 100. As such, the second plug 126 may be configured tocommunicate with the input port 112 and may be modified as the inputport 112 may be modified.

In other embodiments, the portable electronic device 100 maycommunicatively couple with one or more external power sources withoutthe need for the power cable 102. For example, the portable electronicdevice 100 may receive power from an external power source inductivelyor wirelessly, or may include an integrated plug in lieu of the powercable. In these embodiments, the power cable 102 may be omitted.

The portable electronic device 100 may also include a sensor 108positioned substantially anywhere on the portable electronic device 100.The sensor 108 may include a single sensor or multiple sensors.Additionally, the sensor 108 may be configured to sense substantiallyany type of characteristic, such as but not limited to, images,pressure, light, touch, heat, movement, relative motion, and so on. Forexample, the sensor 108 may be an image sensor, a heat sensor, a lightor optical sensor, an accelerometer, a pressure transducer, a gyroscope,a magnet, one or more biosensors that monitor body functions such asblood pressure, pulse, and so on.

The network/communication interface 202 may be used to place phone callsfrom portable electronic device 100 (in embodiments where the portableelectronic device 100 is a phone), may be used to receive data from anetwork, or may be used to send and transmit electronic signals via awireless or wired connection (Internet, WiFi, Bluetooth, and Ethernetbeing a few examples). In some embodiments, the network/communicationinterface 202 may support multiple network or communication mechanisms.For example, the network/communication interface 202 may pair withanother device over a Bluetooth network to transfer signals to the otherdevice, while simultaneously receiving data from a WiFi or othernetwork.

The applications 200 may be substantially any software applicationand/or a hardware component that operates in conjunction with a softwareapplication. For example, the applications 200 can include a map ornavigation application that works in conjunction with a GPS mechanism,receiver, circuit, or sensor that may determine an approximate or exactlocation of the portable electronic device 100. For example, the GPSmechanism may, in communication with the network/communication interface202, use network data (such as WiFi, cellular signals) to determine alocation of the portable electronic device 110. In other embodiments,the GPS mechanism may be a GPS receiver that interacts with GPSsatellites to determine the coordinates and location of the portableelectronic device 100. Alternatively, a location can be determined usingan IP address obtained from an internet web browser or emailapplication.

Additionally or alternatively, the applications 200 can include acalendar program, a heath monitor software program that receives datafrom one or more biosensors sensors, a web browser application, an emailapplication, a texting or instant message application, and so on. Aswill be described in more detail later, a user's use of one or moreapplications may be considered when estimating the power requirements ofthe power source 204 for an upcoming period of time.

The internal power source 204 may be substantially any type of memberthat may provide power to one or more components of the portableelectronic device 100. However, in some embodiments, the power source204 may be a rechargeable portable power source, such as one or morebatteries. The power source 204 may be recharged or otherwise receiveadditional power from the power cable 102 when the power cable 102 iscommunicatively coupled to an external power source, such as a walloutlet, mobile charger, or the like. For example, in some embodiments,the power source 204 may be a rechargeable fast-charging battery orbatteries. However, it should be noted that other types of power sourcesare envisioned as well.

In some embodiments, the power source 204 can include a two-stagestandard charging battery that can use a fast charge to charge the powersource to 80% capacity and then switch to a slow charge for theremaining 20%. In other embodiments, the power source 204 can beimplemented as a fast-charging battery. A fast-charging battery caninclude control circuitry in the battery to rapidly charge the batterieswithout damaging the battery during recharge. In some embodiments, afast-charging battery is a battery with a charge rate that is greaterthan 1c, where charging at 1c means charging at 1× the charge capacityof the battery. Thus, the fast-charging battery can recharge faster thanstandard charging batteries by recharging at a rate that is greater than1× the charge capacity of the fast-charging battery.

FIG. 3 depicts an example graph of a charge state versus an amount oftime for a fast-charging battery. In the illustrated embodiment, thebattery is recharged to approximately fifty percent after fifteenminutes of recharging, and is recharged to approximately seventy-fivepercent after thirty minutes of recharging. Thus, a user can obtain amajority amount of charge on the battery in a relatively short period oftime (e.g., 15 to 30 minutes). A user may obtain a sufficient amount ofpower on the battery to meet the user's needs for an upcoming period oftime in 15 or 20 minutes of recharging. For example, depending on thepower remaining on the battery, a user can recharge the battery whileeating breakfast and obtain a sufficient amount of power to meet thepower requirements for an entire day.

Returning to FIG. 2, the processing device 206 may control operation ofthe portable electronic device 100. The processing device 206 may be incommunication, either directly or indirectly, with substantially all ofthe components of the portable electronic device 100. For example, oneor more system buses 210 or other communication mechanisms may providecommunication between the processing device 206, the display 104, theoutput member 105, the input member 106, the sensors 108, and so on. Theprocessing device 206 may be any electronic device cable of processing,receiving, and/or transmitting instructions. For example, the processingdevice 206 may be a microprocessor or a microcomputer.

The memory 208 may store electronic data that may be utilized by theportable electronic device 100. For example, the memory 208 may storeelectrical data or content corresponding to various applications orcomponents. For example, the memory 208 can store audio files, videofiles, document files, power profiles, estimated power requirements, andso on, corresponding to various applications. The memory 208 may be, forexample, non-volatile storage, a magnetic storage medium, opticalstorage medium, magneto-optical storage medium, read only memory, randomaccess memory, erasable programmable memory, or flash memory.

The network/communication interface 202 may connect the electronicdevice to another external electronic device 212 using a wired and/orwireless network connection 214, or through other suitable communicationmechanism, such as touching two devices to each other (e.g., using nearfield communication). The external electronic device 212 can be acomputing device, a server, and/or a storage device. As one example, theexternal device 212 can be a laptop computer or a smart telephone.Embodiments described herein may store power profiles, estimated powerrequirements, and other information about the portable electronicdevice, and/or associated power use in the external electronic device212. The portable electronic device can then access the information whenneeded.

Embodiments described herein can estimate or predict the powerrequirements for an electronic device for an upcoming period of time.Information about the remaining use time of the electronic device basedon the estimated power requirements and the remaining supply of power onthe internal power source can then be provided to the user in a moremeaningful display. For example, a processing device in an electronicdevice may correlate the power usage to one or more entries in acalendar application, and determine the power used during particular orrepeating meetings and activities. This learned information can then beused to estimate the power requirements for power source over anupcoming or future period of time.

Embodiments can provide an indication of how much use remains on theinternal power source based on a power profile the device has created orreceived. The power profile can include estimated power requirements,historical power usage, and/or options regarding the power management ofthe portable electronic device. For example, a power profile can includeinformation about the amount of power used in a given time period fortext messages, emails, cellular telephone calls (e.g., when theelectronic device is a smart telephone), internet browsing, camera use,travel applications, other applications such as health monitoringapplications (e.g., heart rate monitor), and so on. In some embodiments,one or more processing devices can produce and/or modify an estimatedpower requirement based on one or more power profiles and/or user input.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a flowchart illustrating anexample method for creating one or more power profiles. Initially, aprocessing device can analyze the current uses of an electronic deviceand/or historical power uses of the electronic device (block 400). Theportable electronic device can sample data regarding power usage overtime to create a database of power use data, or the mobile device mayhave a “test” time such as a number of days or a week during which thedevice may store data corresponding to the “typical” power consumption.

Next, as shown in block 402, the processing device can create one ormore power profiles that are associated with a user and/or with theportable electronic device. For example, a power profile can be createdfor each day of the week, or for each repeating activity or meeting thatappears on a calendar program. Additionally or alternatively, a powerprofile can be produced for each regularly used application on theportable electronic device or on one or more locations frequented by theuser. A power profile can be created to reserve power for an applicationor function to allow the electronic device to save power for thatapplication on a particular day or days, a given time of day, or someother time period.

A determination is then made at block 404 as to whether or not userinput is received that impacts one or more power profiles. For example,a user may prioritize the applications on the electronic device.Additionally or alternatively, a user can specify the electronic deviceenter a low power mode when the remaining power on the internal powersource reaches a certain level. The user can specify what applicationsand functions to turn off and which applications and functions shouldrun in the lower power mode. In some embodiments, a user can require acertain amount of power be reserved for some applications or functions.For example, a user may commute to and from work using a commuter trainand enter or scan a monthly pass for the train using the electronicdevice. That user can require power be reserved each workday forscanning the monthly pass twice each day.

If user input has not been received regarding the power usage of theelectronic device, the method ends. If user input has been received, oneor more power profiles that are affected by the user input can bemodified at block 406 and the method ends. In another embodiment, block404 can be omitted and a power profile may be created at block 406 whenan existing power profile is not affected by the user input.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart depicting an example method for displaying theremaining use time on an internal power source in a portable electronicdevice. Methods for displaying the remaining use time can be performedcontinuously, periodically, or at select times. The method may begin atblock 500 with the portable electronic device estimating or predictingthe power requirements for the electronic device during an upcoming timeperiod. The time period can be a certain period of time, or the timeperiod can be the time left until the internal power source runs out ofpower. The estimated power requirements can be included in a powerprofile that is associated with the user and/or with the electronicdevice.

One factor that may be considered when performing block 500 is datafrom, or related to, one or more applications or other software programsa user is expected to use in the given time period. As a first example,the electronic device can analyze a calendar application to determinethe location and/or number of meetings and/or appointments that the usermay be attending to predict the use of the electronic device by theuser.

As another example, the portable electronic device may predict that theuser will want navigation or turn by turn directions for five hourswhile he or she is traveling to a destination. In this example, the usermay have used an application to request directions from one location tothe destination. Providing turn-by-turn directions means the portableelectronic device will be in near-constant or constant use during thefive hours of travel. Example factors that can be considered whenestimating the power requirements for an upcoming time period aredescribed in more detail in conjunction with FIG. 6.

Next, as shown in block 502, an amount of remaining use time for theelectronic device is then displayed based on the estimated powerrequirements and a state of charge on the internal power source. Exampleembodiments of displayed information are described in conjunction withFIGS. 7 and 8. A determination is then made at block 504 as to whetheror not a sufficient amount of power is left on the internal power sourceto meet the predicted power requirements. If so, the process returns toblock 500.

When the internal power source does not have a sufficient amount ofpower to meet the predicted power requirements, the method continues atblock 506 where the user is alerted and can be provided with one or moreoptions regarding the power management of the electronic device. Theuser alert can take the form of a recommendation to recharge theinternal power source. Additionally or alternatively, the portableelectronic device may present options to the user regarding adjustingone more characteristics of the electronic device in order to prolongthe power on the internal power source. For example, one option may beto place the portable electronic device in a low power state where theportable electronic device performs only basic functions. In someembodiments, a user can specify the portable electronic device reservepower for selected upcoming applications that will be performed while inthe low power state. Alternatively, the user can opt to place the devicein a sleep mode.

A determination is then made at block 508 as to whether the internalpower source is being recharged. If so, the display of the remaining usetime of the electronic device can be updated at block 510 and the methodends. As described earlier, in some embodiments, the internal powersource is a fast-charging rechargeable battery that can receive arelatively substantial amount of charge in a short period of time.

If the internal power source is not being recharged, the process passesto block 512 where a determination can be made as to whether any userinput has been received regarding the power management of the portableelectronic device. By way of example only, the user may have specifiedthe electronic device be placed in a low power or sleep state. Asanother example, a user can specify that one or more applications bedisabled until the internal power source is recharged. If user input isreceived, the display of the remaining use time of the electronic devicecan be updated at block 510.

If user input is not received, the method continues at block 514 where adetermination is made as to whether one or more power profiles are to bereviewed. The method ends if a power profile will not be accessed. If atleast one power profile is to be accessed, one or more actions can betaken based on at least one entry in the power profile(s). In someembodiments, one or more options can be included in a power profile thatis associated with the user and/or with the portable electronic device.A power profile can allow the electronic device to activate optionsautomatically. Alternatively, some of the options can be performedautomatically while other options can be input or selected by a user.

The power profile can include estimated power requirements and/orhistorical power usage. The estimated power requirements and historicalpower requirements can be categorized in several ways, such as, forexample, by applications, by days of the week, by hours of the day, byentries in a calendar, by location, and by travel (individually and/orin various combinations). Embodiments can include other suitablecategories in a power profile.

One or more settings, characteristics, applications, and/or componentsmay be adjusted based on a power profile. For example, the electronicdevice may adjust a data polling rate for an email application, abrightness of a display, turn off certain sensors (e.g., accelerometer,GPS mechanism, or the like), deactivate certain applications (e.g., gameapplications or applications that run any background processes), and soon. The actions that may be taken by a processing device may vary basedon the desired reduction in power usage for the portable electronicdevice, input received from a user, and/or based on the power profile.For example, certain users may prefer to reduce or turn off data pollingfor email applications, whereas other users may prefer to deactivate GPSfunctions, telephone calls, text messages, image capture functions andthe like. Certain embodiments may permit users to specify any or allfunctionality, separately or in groups, to deactivate in order toprolong an amount of use time for an electronic device.

Further, some embodiments may permit a user to define different tiers orlevels of functionality to deactivate. That is, when the device's chargereaches a first threshold, a first set of user-specified functions maybe terminated. As a second threshold, a second set of user-specifiedfunctions may be deactivated, and so on. The second set of functions mayoverlap, complement or replace the first set of functions. That is, whenthe second set of functions is deactivated, some embodiments may permita function previously deactivated to be re-activated. Further, someembodiments may provide a user interface that not only permits thespecification of tiers in this fashion, but also shows the relativedecrease in power requirements as functions, applications,characteristics and the like are activated or deactivated. In thismanner, the device may inform a user of the particular power savingsand/or extended amount of use time for each tier or set the usercreates, thereby facilitating the creation of multiple tiers ofdeactivated functions, each of which conserves more power than the priortier. Indeed, certain embodiments may require successive tiers to eachpreserve more power than the prior tier.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of example factors that may be consideredwhen performing block 500 in FIG. 5. As described previously, entries ina calendar application 600 can be accessed and used to estimate orpredict the power requirements for an upcoming time period. As anotherexample, the electronic device can determine that a certain amount ofpower is used during a particular meeting. So when the electronic deviceaccesses the calendar and that meeting occurs during the time period theelectronic device is estimating power requirements, the electronicdevice can include the power used during the meeting in the estimate.Alternatively, the electronic device can determine the user is in ameeting and, based on prior power use during the same meeting or duringselect or all meetings, include a certain amount of power use and/or anaverage amount of power use in the estimate.

Similarly, the day of the week 602 and/or the time of day 604 can beconsidered when estimating upcoming power requirements. For example, auser may have a recurring activity on every Monday and the electronicdevice has determined that the activity uses a given amount of power.The amount of power can be an average of the power use over a period ofMondays, or the amount of power can be the actual amount of time usedmost recently.

Additionally or alternatively, the electronic device may have determinedthat the user's power use after 7 pm drops to a given amount of power.As another example, a user's power use on Fridays between 9 am and 12 pmcan be included in the power estimation.

A user's past or historical power use 606 can be considered whenestimating the power requirements for an upcoming time period. Thehistorical power use can be based on the applications 608 and how muchpower each application used over a time period. Alternatively, the pastpower use can be based on average power used in the past during eachhour of a particular day 602. Thus, a user may use a first amount ofpower between 9 and 10 am on Saturdays and a different second amount ofpower between 10 and 11 am on Saturdays.

The location 610 of a user and/or data from one or more sensors may beconsidered when predicting the power requirements for an upcomingperiod. Using a global positioning system (GPS) or other navigationsystem the electronic device can determine a user requested directionsto a specific location and can calculate an amount of time remainingbefore the user arrives at that location. Thus, the electronic devicecan determine a power requirement needed to run the navigation programuntil the user arrives at the specific location.

As another example, the electronic device can determine a user is at ahealth club based on the location of the user. Additionally oralternatively, the electronic device may determine that the user iscurrently running a health monitoring program, such as a heart ratemonitor. Based on the user's previous power requirements with the healthmonitoring program, the electronic device can estimate the powerrequirements for the user's current use of the health monitoringprogram.

A user's preferences 612 may be considered when estimating powerrequirements. A user can specify power be reserved for one or moreactivities, applications, calendar entries, time of day. As one example,a user may commute to and from work using a light-rail or commutertrain. A user can specify that power be reserved for scanning a monthlypass or ticket twice a day each work day. Additionally or alternatively,a user can prioritize his or her use of applications so the electronicdevice can allocate power to applications having a higher priority thanapplications with a lower priority. For example, a user can give ahigher priority to email and text message applications and a lowerpriority to games and a camera application. The electronic device canallocate or reserve power for email and texting when the predicted oractual use time remaining on a power source is less than an estimatedpower requirement.

An aggregate of data relating to the power use of a group of users canbe used to estimate the power requirements for an upcoming time period.For example, the electronic device can determine that a group of usersrunning a particular application use a given amount of power in a timeperiod. As another example, users that have a similar type of scheduletend to use a given amount of power.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, there are shown example displays of theremaining use time for an electronic device that can be displayed to auser. The display can be a simple display that provides informationabout the remaining use time of an electronic device. The informationcan be actual time data, expressed in hours and/or minutes. An exampleof this type of displayed information is illustrated in FIG. 7.

In other embodiments, a more advanced display can be provided, such asthe example shown in FIG. 8. The display can include one or moreapplications arranged in a list 800 and information 802 representing theamount of remaining use time can be displayed next to each application.The applications in the list can be specified by the user, can includethe applications most used by the user, and/or can include the mostpower consuming applications. Additionally, the list can include anyapplications in which the user has reserved power for that application.The applications in the list can be represented with icons, with text,and/or with user-input abbreviations.

The information 802 regarding the remaining use time for eachapplication in the list 800 can be presented in several ways. In oneembodiment, the information 802 can include amounts of time expressed inhours and/or minutes. In another embodiment, the information can becolor-coded graphical representations such as a green, yellow, or redbox or other shaped representation. In other embodiments, theinformation 802 can be different graphical shapes, such as a checkmark,a hyphen, a question mark, an asterisk, an exclamation mark, and/or upor down arrows. Alternatively, the information 802 can be a smiley facethat represents a sufficient amount of remaining use time and a sad facerepresenting insufficient remaining use time. The sufficiency of theamount of remaining use time can be based on the predicted powerrequirements for each application for an upcoming time period and astate of charge on the internal power source.

In some embodiments, the power profiles, the user inputs, and/or dataregarding historical power requirements can be stored on an externaldevice (e.g., electronic device 212 in FIG. 2) that can be connected tothe portable electronic device. The portable device can estimate thepower requirements for an upcoming time period by accessing the data,Similarly, the process of estimating the power requirements andconfiguring the displayed information can be performed by the externaldevice. The estimated power requirements and/or the displayed remaininguse time can then be transmitted to the portable electronic device.

Various embodiments have been described in detail with particularreference to certain features thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scopeof the disclosure. The foregoing description has broad application.

For example, although the electronic device has been described as amobile electronic device, the devices and techniques disclosed hereinare equally applicable to other types of devices. Accordingly, thediscussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary and is notintended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including theclaims, is limited to these examples.

Even though specific embodiments have been described herein, it shouldbe noted that the application is not limited to these embodiments. Inparticular, any features described with respect to one embodiment mayalso be used in other embodiments, where compatible. Likewise, thefeatures of the different embodiments may be exchanged, wherecompatible.

1. A method for operating an electronic device, the method comprising:estimating, by a processing device, a power requirement to be needed inan upcoming time period; determining, by the processing device, anamount of power remaining on a power source of the electronic device;based on the power requirement and the amount of power remaining on thepower source, displaying an amount of remaining use time for theelectronic device; accessing, by the processing device, a power profilewhen the amount of power remaining on the power source is not sufficientfor the estimated power requirement; determining, by the processingdevice, at least one action to be taken based on the power profile; andmodifying, by the processing device, the displayed indication of theremaining use time of the electronic device based on the at least oneaction.
 2. The method as in claim 1, wherein estimating, by theprocessing device, the power requirement to be needed in the upcomingtime period comprises analyzing a historical power usage for at leastone application on the electronic device.
 3. The method as in claim 1,wherein estimating, by the processing device, the power requirement tobe needed in the upcoming time period comprises determining a powerrequirement based on at least one of a calendar entry in a calendarprogram, a day of the week, and a time of day.
 4. The method as in claim1, further comprising displaying an alert when the amount of powerremaining on the power source is not sufficient for the estimated powerrequirement.
 5. The method as in claim 4, wherein the alert comprises anotification to recharge the power source.
 6. The method as in claim 1,further comprising displaying at least one option to a user regardingpower management of the electronic device when the amount of powerremaining on the power source is not sufficient for the estimated powerrequirements.
 7. The method as in claim 6, further comprising: receivinguser input for at least one displayed option; and modifying, by theprocessing device, the displayed indication of the remaining use time ofthe electronic device based on the received user input.
 8. (canceled) 9.The method as in claim 1, wherein the at least one action to be takencomprises placing the electronic device in a low power state.
 10. Themethod as in claim 1, wherein the at least one action to be takencomprises reserving power for at least one application on the electronicdevice.
 11. The method as in claim 1, wherein the at least one action tobe taken comprises disabling an application on the electronic device.12. A method for creating a power profile for managing power of anelectronic device, the method comprising: analyzing, by a processingdevice, historical power requirements of the electronic device;creating, by the processing device, the power profile based at least inpart on the determined historical power requirements; and modifying, bythe processing device, the power profile based on input received from auser.
 13. The method as in claim 12, wherein analyzing historical powerrequirements of the electronic device comprises analyzing historicalpower usage for at least one application on the electronic device. 14.An electronic device comprising: a power source configured to supplypower to one or more components of the electronic device; and aprocessing device in communication with the power source and configuredto: determine an estimated power requirement of the mobile electronicdevice during a time period; determine a charge state of the powersource; and to produce an indication of the remaining use time of theelectronic device based on the estimated power requirement and thecharge state of the power source.
 15. The electronic device as in claim14, further comprising a display in communication with the processingdevice to display the indication of the remaining use time of theelectronic device.
 16. The electronic device as in claim 14, furthercomprising a memory for storing one or more power profiles, at least oneincluding information regarding power management of the electronicdevice.
 17. The electronic device as in claim 14, wherein the processingdevice is included in the electronic device.
 18. The electronic deviceas in claim 14, wherein the processing device is in an externalelectronic device and the processing device is in communication with thepower source through a network connection.
 19. The electronic device asin claim 14, further comprising at least one application to be usedduring the upcoming time period, wherein the indication of the remaininguse time of the electronic device comprises an indication of thesufficiency of the power remaining on the power source with respect toeach of the at least one application.
 20. The electronic device as inclaim 14, wherein the power source comprises a fast-chargingrechargeable battery.